Reading Covid Support Fund 2021/22

Reading Borough Council has allocated £220k for grants to the voluntary and community sector for the year 2021/22 from the ‘Reading Covid Support Fund’. The council is inviting applications for funding that support the following grant criteria: -Social Isolation/Mental Health/Emotional support -Self-isolation Support (not financial) targeting hard to reach groups -Bids supporting carers and children and young people -Other Covid-related areas of impact (e.g. financial hardship, physical health). Continue reading Reading Covid Support Fund 2021/22

RVA’s new volunteering platform is now live

Reading Voluntary Action are pleased to announce that the new volunteer matching platform for Reading, Reading Volunteer Connect, is now live. The new platform will introduce a wide range of new functionality allowing organisations to have more control over the volunteering opportunities advertised via Reading Voluntary Action and streamline volunteer engagement. Organisations can register for an account here. You will then be able to upload opportunities onto the new platform. Continue reading RVA’s new volunteering platform is now live

A young people’s report on their long-term wellbeing needs post-pandemic – from No5 Young People

Safe spaces, support, confidentiality and community – findings from new report on young people’s needs. A local snapshot of the voices of young people, reflective of the national picture about mental health, early intervention, and knife crime, has been published in a report by No5 Young People. The report summarises the work of No5’s ‘Restart Youth!’ project, made possible through funding from The National Lottery Community Fund distributed by Blagrave Trust. Continue reading A young people’s report on their long-term wellbeing needs post-pandemic – from No5 Young People

Save money on your bills – Broad Street Mall, 25–26 January

Are you worried about your energy and utility bills? Come and see Citizens Advice at Broad Street Mall – look for our stall (Tuesday 25 January 2022, Wednesday 26 January 2022). One of our specialist advisers can take a look at your existing bills and advise you on how you could save money – if you would like help please bring your recent bills with you. We’ll have lots of advice and information for you. Continue reading Save money on your bills – Broad Street Mall, 25–26 January

New online workshops from The Real Business Club

The Real Business Club are running new interactive online workshops to help businesses grow. The workshops start in March 2022 and are free to business owners, no matter what kind of business they run. They offer clear and practical advice on best marketing routes and guidance on planning a strategy, and are run by business experts. For further details about what is covered in each workshop and to book, go to The Real Business Club website at www.therealbusinessclub.co.uk. Continue reading New online workshops from The Real Business Club

BCF Vital for Berkshire – deadline 10 February 2022

The Spring 2022 round of Vital for Berkshire funding is open to support charities and groups tackling vital needs in Berkshire such as support for young and vulnerable people, poverty and isolation, physical and mental health, and much more. If you are interested in applying for funding, an Eligibility Quiz is available on the website at www.berkshirecf.org/available-funding/vital-for-berkshire-fund, fill in the Quiz to receive a link to an online Application Form. Continue reading BCF Vital for Berkshire – deadline 10 February 2022

Walk-in vaccinations resume at Broad Street Mall

The vaccination centre in Broad Street Mall re-opened for walk-in Covid-19 vaccinations on 10 January 2022. The site, located where the old New Look shop used to be inside Broad Street Mall, is open from 9am to 7pm every day. The walk-in centre offers: -First doses -Second doses -Boosters -Third doses for a weakened immune system (important: if you are attending for a third dose you need to bring your referral letter from a GP or hospital doctor). Continue reading Walk-in vaccinations resume at Broad Street Mall

ABC to Read calls on schools to return volunteers to the classroom

Only 70% of the schools that previously used ABC to Read mentors to support children struggling with their reading have reinstated those volunteers, despite government guidelines clearly stating that such support is allowed. The charity is urging all local primary schools to adhere to government guidance and bring their trained volunteer mentors back into the classroom so that they can give one-to-one support to the children who need it most. Continue reading ABC to Read calls on schools to return volunteers to the classroom

Community Consultation for Quality of Life: can you help?

At the University of Reading’s school of architecture we are involved in a research project called Community Consultation for Quality of Life. The aim of the project is to review approaches to community consultation across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and to provide space for people to have a say in the planning of their city. The project involves us setting up a physical space for community consultation in the Broad Street Mall and an associated digital platform. Continue reading Community Consultation for Quality of Life: can you help?

Compass Recovery College courses for January-April 2022

Compass Recovery College has published its prospectus and course schedule for January to April 2022. Next term sees the college continuing to offer both online and in person health and wellbeing workshops which are free and open to everyone. You can register quickly and easily and find further information on the Compass Recovery College website (www.compassrecoverycollege.uk). Continue reading Compass Recovery College courses for January-April 2022